My New Year’s Resolution: Unlearning Negative Habits

Many people start each new year with a resolution, a firm decision to stop drinking soda or lose ten pounds by March 1st. New Year’s resolutions work for some people and they go the year (or most of it) sticking to what they said on January 1st. I’ve never had much luck with New Year’s resolutions, which is why, in 2020, I’m setting goals and unlearning negative habits instead.

I’m going to be happy. I’ve stopped myself from being truly happy at so many different stages of my life, but this is going to be simple. I will let myself be happy with any chance I get.

I’m going to be more environmentally sustainable. I, like most people in the world, have gotten very used to single-use plastics. I pick up a pre-made wrap from Trader Joe’s in a plastic container and drink from my plastic water bottle and can’t help but feel guilty about all the plastic waste generated. I’m taking steps to unlearn just grabbing a water bottle instead of using a refillable metal bottle. I’m going to remember to bring my own grocery bags to the store. I’m going to get reusable produce bags for my kale and cilantro. I’m going to think about how every item I use benefits or harms the planet. I am going to continue to shop sustainably to help lower fashion industry waste.

Learn my favorite ways to shop sustainably.

I’m going to start being more kind to myself. I know I’m not the only person who needs to change these negative habits. Sometimes my first thoughts about myself are negative. In a hard situation, I think that I’m not good enough or smart enough to get through it. If a dress doesn’t fit the way I want, my brain goes to thoughts about how I need to do more yoga or how I shouldn’t have eaten that dessert earlier. I’m going to change my thoughts to be appreciative. I need to remember that I’m a smart, strong, and highly-capable woman. I’ve gotten to this wonderful place in my life and it wasn’t an accident; it was hard work and determination.

I’m going to be myself, no matter what people think. My depression and anxiety lie to me all the time. They make me think people don’t like me. They make me think that people are only friends with me for a reason. They make me think that if people knew the real me, they wouldn’t want anything to do with me. That’s not true. I have amazing friends who love me. I have special people in my life who have seen me in different parts of my journey and love me the same. I’m going to stop focusing on living my life to please others. I’m going to be seen; I’m going to be heard, and I’m okay if that isn’t for everyone.

I’m going to incorporate more plant-based foods into my diet. This one goes along with being more environmentally sustainable. Animal agriculture is a huge contributing factor to global warming and pollution. I’ve focused on plant-based foods before and you know what? I felt AMAZING. There are countless professional athletes that swear by a plant-based diet for their wellbeing. I don’t want to do this as a diet plan; I want to do it as a lifestyle. Having a diet based on plants is great for the inside and outside of your body. I’m always on the search for the latest “fountain of youth”, and why not start by using what is given to me by the Earth.

Check out my favorite healthy smoothie recipe if you’re looking for a great, plant-based breakfast.

This list has a lot of action items on it, but I plan on making 2020 the year of Whitney. What are your New Year’s resolutions, goals, or negative habits you want to change?